Every year, on the first Saturday of May, International Female Ride Day (IFRD) is celebrated globally. This day honors women who ride motorcycles and is not limited to any specific country, group, or organization. On IFRD, women take the opportunity to ride and promote women riders while also making a positive impact for women in motorcycling and powersports globally. Every woman who rides on this day is considered a role model, showcasing the diversity and unique passion that women share for motorcycling and powersports. This year commemorates the 17th Annual International Female Ride Day® 2023 (IFRD). Listen In With KNN, sports talk radio show/podcast presented by FOX Sports Radio, hosted by award-winning broadcast host Kelsey Nicole Nelson is proud to partner with IFRD and Polaris this year!
International Female Ride Day is a global event that occurs annually on the first Saturday in May. Created by Vicki Gray, IFRD is a celebration of women who ride motorcycles and participate in powersports. The event aims to promote unity, support, and equality for women in motorcycling and powersports, as well as to encourage other women to take up the activity. IFRD has been occurring for almost two decades and continues to grow in strength and power. The event promotes and supports all women in motorcycling, highlighting the steady increase in the number of women motorcycle riders over the past few decades. With IFRD’s prominence and call to action, more women have taken up the activity, and the event underlines this growth and the numbers.
This partnership with IFRD allowed Kelsey to go up and experience the Trailhead Adventures in Bluefield, VA located at 465 Miners Park Lane, Bluefield, VA. Riding in the Polaris 2023 RZR XP 1000 4 Seater, Kelsey traveled to the Trailhead ATV Resort on May 1st, where she was outfitted with safety protocols before she embarked on an ORV ride experience for the first time. The ride took place in the afternoon for about three hours (a half-day experience) before ending. In talking about her first experience riding, she enjoyed the opportunity and noted that “Growing up, I always loved cars and riding. I was never afraid to get a little dirty. I grew up hiking at my camps and loving nature. The half-day experience was one I will never forget. I can’t remember the last time I had that much fun. It was a freeing experience, and going a day after the rain it provided a backdrop of just enough mud and puddles for the cherry on top of the incredible experience.”
Associate Marketing Manager for Polaris Adventures Jennifer Green talked about Trailhead Adventures and noted that it “Is unique in that it has access to over 500 miles of off-road trails nearby. Including the Spearhead trail system in Virginia and the Hatfield McCoy trail system of West Virginia. Trails that provide wooded mountain terrain through beautiful vistas to scenic overlooks are must-sees. Trailhead Adventures provides its customers with an opportunity to experience this extensive trail system located in one of Virginia’s historical first coalfield boom towns. A Polaris Adventures Outfitter, Trailhead Adventures offers rental cabins, RV sites, and Polaris RZRs for daily rentals.”
Polaris, who provides the vehicles for the event, launched the hashtag #FocusFemaleForward as part of their participation in the event. In the past couple of years, Polaris noted on their website that they have witnessed a significant increase in female ridership across its diverse portfolio, with a surge of almost 30%. The rise of powersports among women is attributed to the need for an outlet to get away from the hustle and bustle, the importance of community and empowerment, and the desire to spend time with friends and family while enjoying the outdoors. The off-road riding sector is experiencing growth, with younger people and more women participating.
Powersports provide an avenue for women to connect, embark on adventures, and feel empowered. Polaris encourages all women who love adventure to join them on International Female Ride Day and discover what it’s all about. As part of its commitment to championing the growth of female ridership, Polaris has joined forces with IFRD and has extended its support by launching the Empowersports Women’s Riding Council and the Empowersports Diverse Riding Council.
The councils are made up of accomplished women who are riders, explorers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs. Together, they work closely with Polaris to boost industry inclusion and representation of women and inspire more women to participate in powersports. Through their initiatives, Polaris aims to empower women and provide them with the necessary resources and support to thrive in a historically male-dominated industry. With its unwavering focus on diversity, inclusion, and equality, Polaris is leading the way in promoting a more gender-inclusive culture in powersports, and its efforts are sure to encourage more women to join the community.
International Female Ride Day will take place this year on May 6th, 2023. For more information about it, you can find out more on their Twitter, Facebook, and on the Motoress website. For information on Polaris Off-Road, you can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
